Microsoft Outlook OST File Cannot Be Accessed – Issue Resolved

Microsoft Outlook OST is the Offline Storage Table file. The key feature of the offline file in Microsoft Outlook is that it gives a chance to work disconnected mode on Outlook or even running appropriately in condition when the application is not associated with the Microsoft Exchange Server.

You can simply carry out activities, for example, analyze or cancellation of existing mail, structure of new emails, and so forth. Microsoft Outlook OST file cannot be accessed is an error which will appear while accessing OST files. So to resolve this “OST File Cannot Be Accessed” error easily, one can easily convert OST files to PST format.

Outlook OST File Cannot Be Accessed: Reasons

An OST file is prone to damage because of various factors. These include corruption due to overgrown size, virus attacks, damage due to accidental shut down etc.

Suppose you’re using Outlook 2016 or 2019, and while sending / receiving emails you see the error: Microsoft Outlook OST file cannot be accessed. This is a common MAPI error and it occurs at the time of synchronizing an offline address book, during send/receive operation. The primary reasons behind OST file cannot be accessed error are listed below:

• Incorrect configuration or corruption of Outlook profile
• Keeping huge sized attachments in mailbox
• Path of the OST file created is not correct
• Improper synch of OST file with Microsoft Exchange Serve

The OST file cannot be accessed Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 issue will prevent you from sending or receiving any emails, so resolving it at the earliest should be your first priority.

Solution to Make OST File Accessible

The manual methods are quite lengthy and time consuming, so one can use third party tools to fix the error. “SysTools software to repair OST file” and extract all data items of offline OST files. And it will be convert the corrupted OST files and make it accessible in Outlook.

Features:

• Convert Data from OST files: Emails, Calendars, Contacts, Task, Journal etc.
• Provides Date Filter to Export OST File by Specific Date
• Supported deleted data restoration from offline OST mailbox
• Freely preview items before conversion from OST.

You can try this tool by using free demo version.

Fix The Issue Microsoft Outlook OST File Cannot Be Accessed Manually

Depending upon the real cause behind the error, one can use different ways to apply Outlook error fix. The fixes explained below are applicable to Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013.

1. Create a new Outlook profile

If the reason behind the error Microsoft Outlook OST file cannot be accessed is a corrupted Outlook profile, then creating a new one will fix the error. For this, find the current location of your default Outlook data file and then create a new Outlook profile. Here are the steps to do this:

Step 1: Locate the default Outlook data file

• Open Control Panel and click “Mail”
• The Mail Setup Outlook dialog box will open. Click “Show Profiles”
• Select your current Outlook profile and then click on “Properties”
• Again the Mail Setup Outlook dialog will appeared. Click on “Data Files”
• The Account Settings dialog box will open. Click on the “Data Files” tab and note the name and location of the default Outlook profile. The default profile will be denoted by a check mark
• Close and exit.

Step 2: Create new Outlook profile

Auto setup IMAP or POP3 email account to fix the error Microsoft Outlook OST file cannot be accessed

• Open Control Panel
• The Mail Setup Outlook dialog box will open. Click “Show Profiles”
• Select your current Outlook profile and then click on “Add”
• Type a name for the new profile in the New Profile dialog box and click “OK”
• The Add New Account dialog box will open. Type your email information and then click on “Next”
• After successful configuration completes, click on “Finish”.

Create IMAP or POP3 email account manually to solve the issue Microsoft office Outlook offline folders could not be accessed

• Open Control Panel
• The Mail Setup Outlook dialog box will open. Click “Show Profiles”
• Select your current Outlook profile and then click on “Add”
• Type a name for the new profile in the New Profile dialog box and click “OK”
• The Add New Account dialog box will open. Select “Manually configure server settings or additional server types” option and then click “Next”
• The Choose Service dialog box will open. Select Internet E-mail and then click on “Next”
• The Internet E-mail settings dialog box will open. Type your account details
• Click “Test Account Settings” to test your account
• Select “Existing Outlook Data File” then click on “Browse”
• The Open Outlook Data File dialog box will open. Find and select the Outlook data file you located previously
• Click “OK” -> “Next” -> “Close” -> “Finish”.

Step 3: Configure the new Outlook profile as the default profile in the case of an issue unable to access OST file in Outlook 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021.

• Open Control Panel
• The Mail Setup Outlook dialog box will open. Click “Show Profiles”
• Select the option “Always use this profile” and select the new profile from the drop-down under it
• Click “OK”.

2. If Creating New Outlook Profile Isn’t Possible

Some users have multiple email accounts in Outlook and creating a new Outlook profile might not be feasible for them.

In such a case, they can follow the below mentioned procedure to fix the error Microsoft Outlook OST file cannot be accessed:

• From Outlook click “File” -> “Account Settings” -> “Account Settings”
• Click “Change Folder” and expand it by click on the + sign adjacent to it
• Select Inbox and click on “New Folder” option to create a new temporary folder. Give it a name and then click “OK”
• Select the folder you’ve just created and click “OK”. The message delivery location will now show this new folder
• Now change the temporary folder back to the original location. For this, click on “Change Folder again”
• Select “Inbox” and then click “OK”
• Close Account Settings and click “send/receive”.

Changing message delivery location to a temporary folder and then changing it back refreshes Outlook settings. This can fix the error.

Conclusion

One can fix the error Microsoft Outlook OST file cannot be accessed easily. Simply follow the instructions to complete the procedures given above to resolve the problem.